The Web Must Work Better for Young People

To mark the web’s 32nd birthday, Sir Tim Berners-Lee calls for internet access for all, a fight against abuse and misinformation, and more

Tim Berners-Lee
OneZero

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Illustration by Rob Dobi for OneZero

Last year, we marked the web’s birthday just one day after the World Health Organization declared the Covid-19 crisis a pandemic. In the 12 months since, the web — like so many of us — has been tested like never before. Today, as the web turns 32, it has proven to be a lifeline that allows us to adapt and carry on.

Now, as we repair and rebuild, we have an opportunity to reimagine our world and create something better. The web’s power to catalyze change can and must help shape the world we want.

Across the globe, young people in particular are leading by example, using the web to create a better, fairer future. These young leaders see the web as a tool to fight for justice, expand opportunities, and find solutions to pressing problems.

This year, to mark the web’s birthday, we are celebrating by shining a light on the work of nine young people whose work demonstrates this incredible potential. Their stories show how, in the hands of this generation, the web can help to overcome some of humanity’s great challenges.

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Tim Berners-Lee
OneZero

Inventor of WWW | Co-founder/CTO Inrupt.com | Lead, Solidproject.org | Co-founder WebFoundation.org theODI.org | Founder W3C.org | Emeritus Prof CS MIT & Oxford